Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen insisted Kenya was only hosting Somali refugees fleeing conflict in their country.
“We are dealing with our border security through a multi-agency approach and only assisting people escaping war in Somalia. We do not have a policy that allows those fighting in Somalia to come and fight from our country,” said Mr Murkomen in Nairobi.
He maintained that Kenya was hosting Somali nationals purely on humanitarian grounds. While admitting that clashes in Bula-Hawa often spill into Mandera, the CS said it was difficult to verify the identity of groups crossing the border.
“Every time there is conflict on the Somalia side, it spills over and affects Kenya. We have good working relations with Somalia, but we cannot confirm where these forces belong without proper security analysis to establish whether they are combatants or civilians,” he said.
Mr Murkomen added that the government had taken into account complaints raised by Mandera residents, including the closure of schools. He assured that Kenya would continue to support those seeking refuge while ensuring they return home peacefully.
“It is common for Somali nationals to run into Kenya whenever there is fighting. They only come seeking peace, but it still affects our citizens. We always repatriate those illegally present in the country. Kenya remains peaceful and ready to help our troubled neighbors,” he said.
Even as the CS addressed the matter, Mandera Senator Ali Roba issued a statement describing the security situation in the town as alarming.
“Jubaland forces are now inside Mandera town. Schools have been shut, businesses paralysed, and families displaced in fear of stray bullets, RPGs, and unexploded ordnance,” he said.
“Shockingly, Jubaland forces are consolidating their strength inside Mandera, literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,” he charged.
The senator likened the situation to “a county government declaring war against the Republic of Kenya,” describing it as absurd and unacceptable.
He urged the national government to prioritise relations with Somalia’s Federal Government (FGS) rather than with Jubbaland, which he termed a “rogue state government.”
“Allowing Jubaland troops to operate in Mandera, putting Kenyan lives and property at risk, is reckless and a betrayal of our people,” he said, warning that locals could be forced to defend themselves if the State failed to act.
“If the government does not immediately remove Jubaland forces from Mandera, we will be compelled to mobilize ourselves to defend our people, an outcome that would endanger peace and cause international embarrassment for Kenya,” Mr Roba warned.
Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has also raised the alarm, urging President William Ruto to intervene and expel the foreign forces.
“Mandera cannot be turned into a battlefield for Somali forces. We have no interest in Somalia’s internal affairs. We only wish them peace,” he said, while accusing Ethiopia of backing Jubbaland forces.
“I urge our neighbors Ethiopia to keep off Mandera. You can support Somalia through the other border points you share, but not through our county,” Governor Khalif stated.
On Tuesday, Mandera residents staged protests against the continued presence of Jubbaland troops in the town, demanding their immediate removal.
